Rev. W. Awdry

Biography:Wilbert Vere Awdry was born on 15 June 1911. His father, Vere Awdry, a clergyman, would walk him around railways in Hampshire. Until 1916, when the family moved to Box, in Wiltshire. As they were near the Great Western Railway, young Wilbert could hear the engines and his obsession grew.

In 1936, Wilbert was ordained into the Angelican Priesthood. Two years later he married Margaret Wale and two years later, they settled into King's Norton, Birmingham, with their newly born son Christopher.
Three years later, young Christopher got the measles and had to stay in bed. To amuse him, Wilbert told him stories about three engines: Edward, Henry and Gordon. Soon they were written down and Wilbert even drew pictures for them! But after the illness had gone, Wilbert didn't have any plans for them...
Margaret told Wilbert's mother about the stories, and she had a cousin connected to literary agents. Soon the stories where given to him, and seven months later, Edmund WardWilbert Vere Awdry was born on 15 June 1911. His father, Vere Awdry, a clergyman, would walk him around railways in Hampshire. Until 1916, when the family moved to Box, in Wiltshire. As they were near the Great Western Railway, young Wilbert could hear the engines and his obsession grew.

In 1936, Wilbert was ordained into the Angelican Priesthood. Two years later he married Margaret Wale and two years later, they settled into King's Norton, Birmingham, with their newly born son Christopher.

Three years later, young Christopher got the measles and had to stay in bed. To amuse him, Wilbert told him stories about three engines: Edward, Henry and Gordon. Soon they were written down and Wilbert even drew pictures for them! But after the illness had gone, Wilbert didn't have any plans for them...

Margaret told Wilbert's mother about the stories, and she had a cousin connected to literary agents. Soon the stories where given to him, and seven months later, Edmund Ward accepted the three stories, as long as their was a fourth to give the book a happy ending. The books sold well and soon there was a second, and a third....

Wilbert continued the series with 26 books total, adding a new one each year. He ended the series in 1972 with the book "Tramway Engines." While Christopher continued with the stories, Wilbert lead a peaceful life with model railways and work for the Dean Forest Railway until he passed away, 21 March 1997.…Expand